OPAL: Toward the Computer-Aided Design of Oncology Advice Systems

Abstract: Tools that allow physicians to enter knowledge directly into computers will
greatly facilitate the creation of medical expert systems. OPAL is the
knowledge entry program for ONCOCIN, an expert system that assists in the
management of cancer patients enrolled in clinical trials. OPAL uses computer
graphics techniques to display knowledge about cancer treatment plans in a
manner intuitive to physicians. Knowledge converted by the program to the
format used internally by ONCOCIN. OPAL thus allows clinical experts with no
special training in computer science to create complex medical knowledge
bases. Visual representation of knowledge in a manner that is understandable
to physicians may greatly expedite the development of certain classes of
medical advice systems.